Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic

Showing 4276 to 4300 of 4968 results

4276. Mother Church

Acts 2:1-13

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... day coming when God’s Spirit would be poured out on all flesh for the sake of God’s new creation. It would be poured out on the young as well as the old, women as well as men, slaves as well as free. An odd assortment of Jesus disciples, due to the gift of the Holy Spirit, became the catalyst for witness in word and deed to what Jesus called the Kingdom of God on earth. That inspired assembly of believers came to be called the church. The New Testament is the account of the “church experiment.” For ...

4277. The Big E

John 9:1-12

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... and relearning. II. Our presumptuous glasses Such is the subject of today’s story about Jesus’ encounter with a man born blind and how the man comes to “see” who Jesus is and how everyone else who see are spiritually blind. When Jesus and his disciples come upon this man who has been blind from birth, they ask, “Who sinned that this man was born blind – he or his parents?” The human assumption behind their question is still at work today: every effect has a cause. Everything that happens has ...

4278. You Must Start Over!

John 3:1-21

Sermon

Mike Ripski

... me for that cool breeze.” The best things in life are free. They only cost us everything that matters to us. It’s the paradox of grace. V. The paradox of grace In Luke’s gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples about the cost of discipleship. He concludes, “None of you can become my disciples, if you do not give up all your possessions” (Luke 14:33). To receive, we must let go. To win, we must surrender. To live, we must die. It’s the paradox of grace. All our possessions: including our religion ...

4279. Commitment

Mark 8:31-38

Illustration

... ." The Italian freedom fighter Gerabaldi told his followers that he offered them only hunger and death. These were demanding leaders, but Jesus was a thousand times more demanding then they were. Jesus said, "So, therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." Possession cannot stand between you and the Lord. Jesus went so far as to say, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own mother and father, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, he cannot be my ...

4280. John 2:13-22

John 2:12-25

Sweet

Leonard Sweet

... ’s careful explanation seems to echo the Eucharistic experience of the earliest Christians, participation in the “body” of Christ. Finally, Jesus’ temple prediction projects into his on-going life of faith in his disciples. Once the miracle of the resurrection had occurred, Jesus’ disciples “remembered” and so “believed” the word Jesus had spoken (v.22). Even as the great stone edifice which had been the Jerusalem temple was overrun and destroyed, the new “temple” Jesus promised had ...

4281. Even the Great Believers Doubt

John 20:19-23

Illustration

Mickey Anders

... our God," and we suppose he never questioned his faith, but he once wrote, "For more than a week, Christ was wholly lost. I was shaken by desperation and blasphemy against God." In today's Scripture passage we find that kind of faith-struggle even among one of the twelve disciples, Thomas. Here's a man who seems to me to be a disciple for a time like this because we live in an age that questions everything. Perhaps we can learn something from Thomas about how to handle our questions and doubts.

4282. It's Not a Snuggie Love

Mark 15:1-15, Mark 11:1-11

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... but because of suffering. Cross-love does not shirk from sacrifice; it seeks out service. Cross-love knows how to celebrate: Jesus did not shy away from the joyous processional into Jerusalem. But cross-love also knows how to endure rejection by his closest disciples, by his own people, and, ultimately, even the absence of God’s presence (“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani,” — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). The separation made real by sin for all humanity was made real for Jesus on the ...

4283. Easter 4

1 John 3:11-24, Acts 4:1-22, John 10:1-21

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... as equally true is to deny the truth of the gospel. Epistle: 1 John 3:16-24 1. Children (v. 18). John referred to adult Christians as "little children." Is this talking down to adults? Is it an insult to even add "little" to children? Jesus referred to his disciples as "these little ones." It is no insult because if God is our Father, we are his children. Since when? We were adopted as his children at baptism, and we live in Christ as branches of the vine. And we are "little," too. We are often little in ...

4284. Epiphany 5

Isaiah 40:1-31, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:35-39

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... demons knew who Jesus was. Jesus ordered them to keep silence as to his identity. He wanted the people to discover for themselves who he was. The secret was revealed at Calvary when the Centurion saw he was the Son of God. 4. Searching (v. 37). The disciples told Jesus that everyone was searching for him in Capernaum because of his healing. Would that it were true that all people were searching for Jesus! And searching for him for the right reason! They wanted him as a healer only. Jesus says he came not ...

4285. Epiphany 8

Mark 2:18-22, 2 Corinthians 2:12--3:6, Psalm 103:1-22, Hosea 2:2-23

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... deal (covenant) Lesson 1. b. The arrival of the new deal Gospel. c. The nature of the new deal Lesson 2. Gospel: Mark 2:18-22 1. Why don't you fast? (2:18-20). Need: Among many Protestants, fasting is a lost practice. In this instance Jesus' disciples also did not fast. Jesus explains the reason: How can you fast at a wedding feast? Jesus, the bridegroom, is here and this calls for celebration. On the other hand, Jesus is taken away and then the fasting will resume. Those who do not fast probably base their ...

4286. Proper 23

Job 23:1--24:25, Hebrews 4:1-13, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, Mark 10:17-31

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... all. 2. To have Christ is to have all. 3. The possible impossibility (10:23-27). Need: In this passage Jesus makes it impossible for a rich person to enter heaven. This is compared to the impossibility of a camel going through the eye of a needle. When the disciples wondered who then can be saved, Jesus answered that what is impossible with a person is possible with God. It is not necessary to be poor, to give away all your goods and take the vow of poverty as a monk or nun. This passage must be seen in ...

4287. The Power of Belief

John 20:24-31

Sermon

King Duncan

... world. There is only one thing you can believe that will transform your life, and that is that Jesus Christ is the Lord of life. The writer John concludes our lesson for the day with these words: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” By believing in Christ, you and I can have life. Abundant life ...

4288. Death Clouds Our Hearts

Luke 24:36b-48

Illustration

Lori A. Cornell

... because of Jesus' death. They had watched from a distance as his limp frame had been pulled down off the cross. Jesus had been pierced and life had oozed from his side; and along with his life their hopes poured out too. Jesus' death (and, likely, the disciples' own shame at having abandoned him) had sealed their faith and hope in the tomb. So when they saw Jesus again, they didn't have any hope with which to greet him only terror and superstition; they thought he was a ghost (v. 37). Fear and disbelief ...

4289. We Are Not Ghosts

Luke 24:36b-48

Illustration

Keith Grogg

... this scene with the risen Jesus on the beach; and Jesus has built a little campfire, and he asks the disciples returning from their morning trawl to bring some fish to add to the ones he's already got on the grill, along with bread that he has provided. ... But Luke has it happening in the house in Jerusalem where the disciples are gathered, and it is evening. In both cases, Christ's presence is as real as it gets, and he is so alive that, like ...

4290. Proper 6

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2, Mark 4:30-34, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Mark 4:26-29, 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... Jesus and 12 men; it shall end some day when the whole world will be in the kingdom. Here is hope and optimism for Christians living in discouraging days. 4. Parable (v. 34). The text says Jesus did not speak to the world except in parables. To the disciples he explained fully but to the outsiders the truth came indirectly. The non-Christian is not able to take the frank, unvarnished truth. No one can see God directly and live. We can see him only through media; we do not hear but overhear the truth. It is ...

4291. Proper 8

2 Samuel 1:1-16, 2 Samuel 1:17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... power of Jesus' word. What he says happens. Who but God can with a word bring life out of death? It is no wonder Jesus ordered his disciples and Jairus to tell no one of the miracle. He did not want people to see or accept him as Messiah on the basis of miracles. The ... Corinthians to excel in giving as they excel in other things. To excel is to do more than others. Jesus taught that a disciple is to do more than non-believers. Secular people aim to excel in sports or in business. A Christian aims to excel in ...

4292. Proper 9

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Mark 6:1-6, Mark 6:7-13, 2 Samuel 5:6-16

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... are possible." If so, we could expect Jesus to be a success on every occasion and in every problem. Hardly ever do we think that Jesus could fail. At Nazareth he failed to win his people to faith and to heal. At another time Jesus failed to make a disciple out of a rich young ruler. The emphasis in this sermon should not be on failure but the reason for the failure the lack of the people's cooperation. Outline: How Jesus failed – a. Failed to gain the people's understanding vv. 2-3. b. Failed to win the ...

4293. On-Beyond-Zebra Living

John 15:1-17

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... because the reality he’s discovering requires a bigger vocabulary than 26. Jesus wrote the first “On Beyond Zebra” alphabet, for that is exactly what Jesus did for his disciples in his Farewell Discourse. He gave them new words, and new meanings to old words, because he was ushering them into a new reality. Jesus gave his disciples an identity beyond student, beyond servant, beyond slave they became “friends.” And Jesus promised to be a “friend” to all those who followed and loved even as he ...

4294. The Power of Belief

John 20:24-31

Sermon

King Duncan

4295. Jesus at the Center of the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Will Willimon

... In June, walking around a placid lake, hiking in the park, nature, the world seems benevolent and benign. We moderns, because we have devised so many means of protecting ourselves from nature, tend to be nature romantics. But this story of Jesus and his disciples in a boat renders another world, a world where storms rise up out of nowhere and nature puts us in peril. If you have ever suffered from say, cancer, you know that world. In cancer, the normal reproductive processes, the "natural" workings of cells ...

4296. Nobody Is Too Big to Fail. Nobody Is Too Small to Prevail.

Mark 6:1-6

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... because of what they know about him. We all fail. We all are turned away by people we love. Our pie-crusts are doughy, our finances are flaky, our businesses are iffy, while our rationales are solid. One of the most gracious gifts Jesus gave to his disciples — both the original 12 and all of us who strive to follow in their footsteps — is this sacrament of failure: shake the dust off your feet, and move on. Not every one will receive you. Not every one will love you. Not every one will appreciate you ...

4297. Easter 5

Psalm 148:1-14, John 13:31-35, Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-6

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... apostles when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor: Friends, believe the Good News! People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation Jesus has given us a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." PRAYER OF THE DAY Creator God, you have come to us in this old world in Jesus of Nazareth. Teach us to love without limit, and prepare us for the new heaven and earth where you will again be near enough ...

4298. An Admirer of Jesus

Mark 6:14-29

Illustration

Brett Blair

... responded, "I will follow Jesus to his cross, but it is his cross. I have no need to be crucified." To this his brother replied, "Then you are an admirer of Jesus, but not his disciple." King Herod is like this attorney. He greatly admired this prophet from God, John the Baptist, but not enough to become his disciple, not enough to risk his own honor and prestige to protect him. Another similarity occurs in the first part of our text. The people had heard about Jesus. They knew of his great work. They ...

4299. Second Sunday in Lent

Philippians 3:12-4:1, Genesis 15:1-18, Psalm 27:1-14, Luke 9:28-36, Luke 13:31-35

Bulletin Aid

B. David Hostetter

... among the party which strongly criticizes him, through whom Jesus sends a satirical message to King Herod. Luke 13:31-35 [OR] Luke tells the story of the meeting of Jesus with two Old Testament celebrities with a testimonial from heaven to convince the inner circle of disciples as to who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Luke 9:28-36 CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. People: And also with you. Leader: Come seek God’s face; wait for the Lord; take courage; be ...

4300. Hurry Hinders Ministry - Sermon Opener

Mark 6:30-34,45-56

Illustration

Staff

... the second group, two students stopped to help. In the last group, the one that had three hours for their assignment, all of the students stopped to help at least one person. The professor had clearly shown these seminarians that hurry hinders ministry. The disciples have been out on their own preaching, driving out demons, and anointing and healing the sick. When they return they gather around Jesus and report in. They had done good work and they must have been excited about the new authority they held in ...

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